differences between javascript, J2EE, JSP etc.

[roshan]

I am considering to build a website for my college. I Have learnt Java, HTML and Oracle. Some of my friends suggested me to learn Javascript, J2EE, JSP and servlets, PHP and even Flash. I have tried gathering information as to what could be the difference between J2EE, Javascript, JSP and servlets and PHP.


Can anyone tell me whats the difference between all these and what I should appropriately start learning so that I can build a good website.

P.S. I am doing the college website as my project

[Katrina Owen]

I'm going to move this into the Java Beginners forum for you.

[Katrina Owen]

One wisecrack goes that "Java is to JavaScript as car is to carpet".

JavaScript is a completely different language. It does its magic in the browser, so it makes a nice complement to the server side language of your choice.

Often the layers on the client side are described somewhat like this:
HTML: markup/content
CSS: design/layout
JavaScript: behavior

On the server side you would choose between either Java, PHP or another language entirely. There are many. PHP has some similarities with Java, in that it can be coded in an object oriented manner (at least as of PHP 5), and the syntax is somewhat similar. PHP is often considered easier for beginners, because it is pretty forgiving. This also means that it is far easier to mangle things and end up with a good mess of spaghetti code.

JSP and Servlets is Java for the web.

J2EE is the name of one of the Java Platforms (Enterprise Edition). There is also the Standard Edition. You choose one - and then you write your Java code using it.

If you choose to write a web application using Java you will need a web container, such as Tomcat or Orion. Or if you are going to use PHP, then you will probably need Apache.

If there is already a server where you are expected to put your code, then I would ask what technologies they support.

I'm sure several others will chime in with even better explanations

Best of luck with your project!

[Campbell Ritchie]

Please read the two important administrative private messages I am just going to send you.

CR

[roshan jose]

vow this reply is superb and i have got a clear idea.

So I have an option to choose either Java technologies consisting of J2EE, EJB (which comes under J2EE itself), JSP or PHP


and HTML, CSS and Javascript are to be compulsorilu used ins't it??

I might consider taking PHP

[Katrina Owen]

roshan jose wrote: HTML, CSS and Javascript are to be compulsorilu used ins't it??

Yes, pretty much. You can make a website without javascript - but a lot of the snazzy things (fancy things) come from javascript.

I might suggest making the website without javascript first, and then add javascript afterwards... it is often nice to break things down into smaller (and simpler) pieces!

[roshan jose]

So as a professional, you think PHP is a good one to use instead of those java technologies like J2EE, JSP etc

[Campbell Ritchie]

Welcome back.

I think this discussion is veering away from the simple things we usually discuss here on beginners', so I shall move it. I think the HTML/JavaScript forum would be the best place to go.

[Bear Bibeault]

roshan jose wrote:So as a professional, you think PHP is a good one to use instead of those java technologies like J2EE, JSP etc

Personally, I do not. I find Java much more powerful on the backend.

[Katrina Owen]

Agreed - Java is far more powerful on the backend. PHP has a lower entry-bar. Also, I find that it is easier to write bad PHP.

[roshan jose]

okkk thank you for the replies...

I am almost done with HTML and I have started learning CSS.. What do i start next with Java technologies for my website project

I have learnt the J2SE as part of my academic curriculum and I have an idea about Applets...

so for building my website where do i have to start in Java technologies....

[Bauke Scholtz]

You don't per se need applets for your website. Those are only useful if you really need to run a piece of Java code at the client machine.

Just start learning JSP/Servlet as the next step after HTTP, HTML, CSS, JS and XML.

[Bear Bibeault]

Bauke is correct. It's rare to use Applets as part of a Java web application. Follow his advice on what to learn next; namely Servlets and JSP. Just be sure that any JSP material that you use is up-to-date and emphasizes the use of the JSTL and EL and does not focus on old-fahioned scriptlets (where Java code is embedded in the JSPs).

Further questions on server-side Java should probably be posted in one of the Servlet or JSP forums as appropriate.

[roshan jose]

Ohh yes I know that... thank you all for the wonderful posts...

I am starting to learn JSP and servlets...

So after learning JSP and servlets do I have to start learning J2EE and EJB?

What I have leant upto now is just HTML, J2SE 1.5

I have started on CSS and as you said I'll start JSP and servlets... you mentioned to take the latest book for JSP...will head first of 2004 edition will do??

Are there any good online courses which are available for free?

[Bauke Scholtz]

JSP/Servlet is part of Java EE API.

Note that "J2EE" usually references Java EE 1.2 up to 1.4. The Java EE 5.0 is already out since ages and it is not to be confused with the old "J2EE" term.

I can highly recommend the books of Bates and Sierra. The Head First JSP & Servlets is a good choice. It also covers "Scriptless JSP".

[roshan jose]

okk thank you.... so you advice me to do JSP and servlets before i do java EE 1.5

[Bauke Scholtz]

No .. I repeat, JSP/Servlet API is part of Java EE API.

What else did you think that Java EE API is then?

[roshan jose]

ohkkk so wats the best book for this java EE API

and any online courses whoch are given for free so that I can just finish this course soon??

[Bauke Scholtz]

I already mentioned the Head First book.

A complete online Java EE tutorial can be found at Sun's own site: http://java.sun.com/javaee/5/docs/tutorial/doc/
JSP/Servlet API are covered in the first few chapters of part II.

[roshan jose]

your post is very helpful..

what are the next steps i should take after studying java EE...

[roshan jose]

Nowadays I see many websites either with the extension php or aspx

Many of the popular websites are of these extensions, very few have extensions with jsp, html etc.

If we check orkut its aspx, I suppose .Net technology is far superior as its used in designing many popular websites.

Does anyone has a say about this?

[roshan jose]

Nowadays I also see websites created entirely with flash. Keeping aside the time taken to load such a website, is it advisable to use such technologies to that very extent

[Bear Bibeault]

Just some random points to your seemingly random musings:

Well-written Java web sites will not show .jsp in the URLs.

You'll see a lot of web sites in php because it's easy to get started and the barrier to entry is very low. Doesn't make it "better".

Flash is popular for whiz-bang sites but not all that suitable for business applications.

[Bauke Scholtz]

Google runs on JSP/Servlet.

Does that say something?

[roshan jose]

Thank you all very much

Now I am very much convinced about this. Great way ahead.

Thank you all once again

[roshan jose]

Some Good websites contain certain flash. Is it advisable to use flash components or JSF